posted on February 21, 2002 09:58:34 PM new
Just received an E-mail from Ebay regarding Trading Assistants. What is your take on the e-mail? Would you consider becoming a trading assistant?
posted on February 22, 2002 06:29:31 AM new
Here is the link to the details, sorry I don't know how to make it a hot link. Maybe someone can tell me for the future.
http://pages.ebay.com/tradingassistants.html
It looks like another marketing program. I am registered and use there posters etc. I think it just puts a name on what many of us have been doing for awhile anyway.
This will be my first time out considering consigning for people I don't know....Hope it doesn't end up biting me in the butt.
chc
I don't think that this particular thread came from a suggestion by ebay but I think there is always trouble when you do this for someone else. Just my thoughts.
posted on February 22, 2002 08:19:47 AM new
Thanks , sulyn1950
Learned my something new for today, the rest of the day should be a breeze.
I think the key to success in consigning is that you personally take control of the property.
That way if they change their mind – your not stuck after a sale.
I’ve been doing it for friends and family for awhile, but even with them, I have insisted on having the item in my possession before posting.
chc
posted on February 22, 2002 12:06:35 PM new
consigning - wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. To many things can go wrong like the seller not having the item once the sale has been made, or it is not in the exact condition as described or the cosigner isn't happy with the final bid, or the fees ebay charges etc. So many things can go wrong when your not the seller and if they do its your reputation that pays for it in more ways than one.
I know people who do this but from most stories I've read here it has been more trouble than not so you can count me out
posted on February 22, 2002 01:05:42 PM new
I agree - family and friends are one thing...but not a stranger. In fact I received an email from someone asking what I would charge to sell something for her. I had no idea who she was and I told her that I only do that for friends, but I would be happy to give her some ebay pointers if she wanted. She emailed me back and said "ok, how do I find someone to sell something for me". Before then I looked her up on ebay and it turns out she was a buyer of mine a few months ago and lives in my town. So I emailed her back and told her that I would do it for 25% (same as I charge my friends) and if she thought that was too high she could do a search on ebay and click "items closest to me" to find other sellers in town. She never emailed me back. I just think it's a very bad idea, and most people aren't going to pay 25% but once you subract all the fees that's the only way it's worthwhile. (I looked on the thread on ebay and it says the seller and buyer have to agree on a percentage). I'd be curious to what other sellers would charge.
posted on February 22, 2002 04:12:13 PM new
I signed up, and am charging 10% of the selling price. They pay the eBay fees, merchant account (or PayPal) fees. Bidder pays the shipping. I supply the packing materials.
I wouldn't do it if I didn't have the item in hand, and had not discussed what the person expected to get for the item.
posted on February 22, 2002 04:56:45 PM new
you folks read the thread under ebay-HOW TO CATCH A THIEF??
How to lose friends and enemy?if bidder does a chargeback,it could take 2 months to come thru the pipe,now what??
for intl ,it could be up to 6 months.
posted on February 23, 2002 03:31:14 PM new
The Trading Assistants program sounds like a super way to make a little extra money and ADD AGRAVATION, FEEDBACK REDUCTION POSSIBILITES, AND MORE FINANCIAL LIABILITY to your life.
Anyone who is short supply of the 1st or 3rd of those, please let me know, as I have a current surplus.
The grading, representation, photography, scanning, and auction text assembly [to me] sounds like a superb way for someone without a life to get some bizzy work.
A great way to be caught in the middle, of a mess.
posted on February 23, 2002 04:15:03 PM new
Some of these questions make no sense:
How to lose friends and enemy?if bidder does a chargeback,it could take 2 months to come thru the pipe,now what?? for intl ,it could be up to 6 months.
I suppose when someone initiates a chargeback on one of your auctions, you go after your suppliers to compensate you.
The grading, representation, photography, scanning, and auction text assembly [to me] sounds like a superb way for someone without a life to get some bizzy work.
To earn an easy 10% without having to sit on an item that will possibly never sell? Sure! Perhaps your auctions are more difficult to list, but mine take me all of 1.5 minutes each. Grading and photography: 20 minutes tops. So for 21.5 minutes of work, I am earning 10% of the auction ending price, and I don't have to pay any of the fees. Sounds like a wonderful deal!
Perhaps the problem here is that some of you don't understand how consignment works:
1. You take the item into your posession, making an agreement with the owner on the selling terms.
2. You sell the item.
3. You give the owner their money, minus your agreed-to costs.
How is that so difficult? Am I missing something here?
